The effect of eclogitization of crustal rocks on the seismic properties on variable scales: Implications for geophysical imaging of eclogitization at depth

Plate tectonics shapes the face of the earth and subduction and collision zones are among the most important features on Earth. Here, crustal material is recycled into the mantle or integrated into growing orogens. However, the processes active at depth cannot be studied directly and we thus rely on geophysical imaging methods to visualize the geometries that result from the ongoing processes. Additionally, these processes can be studied in fossil subduction and collision zones. However, the scales at which observations from geophysical imaging are made are orders of magnitude larger than those made in field-based studies of fossil subduction and collision zones. This thesis provides insight into how eclogitization modifies the physical properties of deeply buried rocks and what influence the resulting lithologies and their geometrical configuration have on geophysical imaging. In an interdisciplinary approach, I show how structures that are likely representative for those present at depth in subduction and collision zones develop and what their geometries at depth will be. I then derive their petrophysical properties and show how these are modified on various scales, and how this influences the detectability of such associations using geophysical imaging techniques. To do so, the island of Holsnøy in western Norway serves as a natural laboratory that is ideal to study eclogitization of crustal material. Geological mapping on Holsnøy constrains the geometric framework of the constituting lithologies and the scales at which such structures could be expected to establish. Previously, several authors have shown that many of the eclogite occurrences on Holsnøy are produced contemporaneously with ductile deformation forming shear zones at various scales. Our geological mapping aided by photogrammetry using drone images reveals that large parts of this exposed continental sliver were eclogitized statically without associated ductile deformation. This shows that even in domains with ongoing regional deformation, low-strain domains develop within the descending crustal material. Nevertheless, even the major shear zones that are exposed are only a few hundred meters thick, and thus far below the scale that is detectable by geophysical imaging techniques. However, geological mapping of the area suggests that the exposed structures are, at least in a qualitative sense, scale independent, suggesting that the same structural framework could be present at a larger scale in active subduction and collision zones. Measurements of P and S wave velocities of the exposed granulitic protolith and eclogites suggest that eclogitization of the lower crust causes three major changes of the petrophysical properties: (1) increased P and S wave velocities, (2) an increase of the seismic anisotropy, and (3) a decrease of the VP/VS ratio, suggesting distinct variations in the geophysical signal when the descending material is partially eclogitized. Additionally, testing the signal that the exposed shear zones would give in reflection seismic and receiver function studies reveals that the variations in shear zone structure indeed produces variations in the retrieved waveforms. Nevertheless, as the exposed structures are too small for geophysical imaging, the finite element method is used to calculate the effective properties of representative structures acting as an effective medium. The results show that the geometrical configuration of the constituting lithologies only has a minor impact on the P wave velocities and anisotropies of the resulting effective medium. Furthermore, our effective medium calculations on the kilometer scale show that eclogitization of crustal material can indeed produce significant seismic anisotropy. In this case, the calculated anisotropy reaches ~5%, which would produce a dependence of the retrieved signal in, for example, receiver function studies on the backazimuth of the sampled rays. Such backazimuthal dependence is indeed observed in active collision zones such as the Himalaya-Tibet collision system and the results presented here can thus be used to constrain the lithologies at depth, suggesting that the lower crust of India below the Himalaya is partially eclogitized along shear zones similar to those exposed on Holsnøy

Joint inversion of seismic data for temperature and lithology in the Eastern Alps

The high density SWATH-D and AlpArray seismic networks provide a unique opportunity in the Eastern Alps to resolve the complex plate configuration and investigate how the crustal structure seen today reflects the dramatic changes in mountain building style and reorganisation of plate boundaries at about 20 Ma. This study complements the partner project where scattered wave tomography is applied to the same area (presented in the poster ‘Applying scattered wave tomography and joint inversion of high-density (SWATH D) geophysical and petrophysical datasets to unravel Eastern Alpine crustal structure’, Tilmann et al). In order to bring together the seismological and geological-mineralogical constraints in a probabilistic self-consistent way, we employ the joint inversion of seismological and petrophysical data sets. Receiver functions and surface wave dispersion curves, calculated in partner projects, are usually jointly inverted for elastic properties. By utilising the strengths of Markov Chain Monte Carlo inversion, we are able to instead parameterise our model by temperature and mineral assemblage. By inverting seismic data directly for the crust’s constituent mineral assemblages, we are led to a deeper understanding of intra-crustal structure, temperature, and petrophysical properties of crustal layers. A further significant advantage is in interpretation where the probabilities of certain lithologies being present allows for a more seamless integration of qualitative geological data and a reduction in interpretation biases compared to when only seismic velocities are presented

Dynamic evolution of porosity in lower-crustal faults during the earthquake cycle

Earthquake-induced fracturing of the dry and strong lower crust can transiently increase permeability for fluids to flow and trigger metamorphic and rheological transformations. However, little is known about the porosity that facilitates these transformations. We analyzed microstructures that have recorded the mechanisms generating porosity in the lower crust from a pristine pseudotachylyte (solidified earthquake-derived frictional melt) and a mylonitized pseudotachylyte from Lofoten, Norway to understand the evolution of fluid pathways from the coseismic to the post- and interseismic stages of the earthquake cycle. Porosity is dispersed and poorly interconnected within the pseudotachylyte vein (0.14 vol%), with a noticeably increased amount along garnet grain boundaries (0.25–0.41 vol%). This porosity formed due to a net negative volume change at the grain boundary when garnet overgrows the pseudotachylyte matrix. Efficient healing of the damage zone by fluid-assisted growth of feldspar neoblasts resulted in the preservation of only a few but relatively large interconnected pores along coseismic fractures (0.03 vol% porosity). In contrast, porosity in the mylonitized pseudotachylyte is dramatically reduced (0.02 vol% overall), because of the efficient precipitation of phases (amphibole, biotite and feldspars) into transient pores during grain-size sensitive creep. Porosity reduction on the order of >85% may be a contributing factor in shear zone hardening, potentially leading to the development of new pseudotachylytes overprinting the mylonites. Our results show that earthquake-induced rheological weakening of the lower crust is intermittent and occurs when a fluid can infiltrate a transiently permeable shear zone, thereby facilitating diffusive mass transfer and creep

Petrophysical properties across scales and compositions

The scales at which observations from geophysical imaging are made are orders of magnitude larger than those made in field-based studies of fossil subduction and collision zones. Even more so, the determination of petrophysical properties of rocks is typically based on millimeter to centimeter-scale samples, and the so-obtained information is then used to inform large-scale geophysical imaging studies. Information on how such properties can be up-scaled to geophysically relevant scales is rare, underlining the need to combine petrophysical properties with structural data, obtained from relevant field analogues. We provide results from three field analogues; (1) Tenda massif, Corsica, (2) Monte Mucrone, Sesia Zone, western Alps, and (3) Holsnøy, Lindås nappe, Scandinavian Caledonides. The bulk rock compositions cover a gradient from felsic (1-2) to mafic (3), as would be expected in the upper and lower continental crust, respectively. Petrophysical properties (P and S wave velocities and their ratios and anisotropies) were determined by direct measurement (ultrasonic pulse transmission technique) and calculated (based on texture data from neutron diffraction measurements). The data set is then used for numerical modeling (finite element method) of meter to kilometer-scale structural associations as mapped in the field (3). The obtained results show that high-pressure metamorphism of mafic rocks results in significant increase in both P and S wave velocities, that in principle would generate a sufficient impedance contrast to be imaged by seismic methods. While structures observed in the field are typically below the scale of geophysical imaging techniques, our considerations of bulk petrophysical properties indicate that significant anisotropy may still be detectable on the kilometer scale. On the other hand, the increase of P and S wave velocities of felsic rocks during high pressure metamorphism is much smaller, however, as such compositions have a higher potential to form rocks with high mica contents, they display a large variability in seismic anisotropy, hinting at the potential to link relatively low seismic velocities, combined with high anisotropy to fluid intake during metamorphism

Widening of Hydrous Shear Zones During Incipient Eclogitization of Metastable Dry and Rigid Lower Crust— Holsnøy, Western Norway

The partially eclogitized crustal rocks on Holsnøy in the Bergen Arcs, Norway, indicate that eclogitization is caused by the interplay of brittle and ductile deformation promoted by fluid infiltration and fluid-rock interaction. Eclogitization generated an interconnected network of millimeterto- kilometer-wide hydrous eclogite-facies shear zones, which presumably caused transient weakening of the mechanically strong lower crust. To decipher the development of those networks, we combine detailed lithological and structural mapping of two key outcrops with numerical modeling. Both outcrops are largely composed of preserved granulite with minor eclogite-facies shear zones, thus representing the beginning phases of eclogitization and ductile deformation. We suggest that deformation promoted fluidrock interaction and eclogitization, which gradually consumed the granulite until fluid-induced reactions were no longer significant. The shear zones widen during progressive deformation. To identify the key parameters that impact shear zone widening, we generated scale-independent numerical models, which focus on different processes affecting the shear zone evolution: (i) rotation of the shear zones caused by finite deformation, (ii) mechanical weakening due to a limited amount of available fluid, and (iii) weakening and further hydration of the shear zones as a result of continuous and unlimited fluid supply. A continuous diffusion-type fluid infiltration, with an effective diffusion coefficient around 2 10 16 m s D , coupled with deformation is prone to develop structures similar to the ones mapped in field. Our results suggest that the shear zones formed under a continuous fluid supply, causing shear zone widening, rather than localization, during progressive deformation

Dynamic Evolution of Porosity in Lower-Crustal Faults During the Earthquake Cycle

Earthquake-induced fracturing of the dry and strong lower crust can transiently increase permeability for fluids to flow and trigger metamorphic and rheological transformations. However, little is known about the porosity that facilitates these transformations. We analyzed microstructures that have recorded the mechanisms generating porosity in the lower crust from a pristine pseudotachylyte (solidified earthquake-derived frictional melt) and a mylonitized pseudotachylyte from Lofoten, Norway to understand the evolution of fluid pathways from the coseismic to the post- and interseismic stages of the earthquake cycle. Porosity is dispersed and poorly interconnected within the pseudotachylyte vein (0.14 vol%), with a noticeably increased amount along garnet grain boundaries (0.25–0.41 vol%). This porosity formed due to a net negative volume change at the grain boundary when garnet overgrows the pseudotachylyte matrix. Efficient healing of the damage zone by fluid-assisted growth of feldspar neoblasts resulted in the preservation of only a few but relatively large interconnected pores along coseismic fractures (0.03 vol% porosity). In contrast, porosity in the mylonitized pseudotachylyte is dramatically reduced (0.02 vol% overall), because of the efficient precipitation of phases (amphibole, biotite and feldspars) into transient pores during grain-size sensitive creep. Porosity reduction on the order of >85% may be a contributing factor in shear zone hardening, potentially leading to the development of new pseudotachylytes overprinting the mylonites. Our results show that earthquake-induced rheological weakening of the lower crust is intermittent and occurs when a fluid can infiltrate a transiently permeable shear zone, thereby facilitating diffusive mass transfer and creep

Supplemental materials for: P wave anisotropy caused by partial eclogitization of descending crust demonstrated by modelling effective petrophysical properties

Supporting information for "P wave anisotropy caused by partial eclogitization of descending crust demonstrated by modelling effective petrophysical properties" Zertani et al. accepted for publication in G-cube

Influence of loading and heating processes on elastic and geomechanical properties of eclogites and granulites

Increased knowledge of the elastic and geomechnical properties of rocks is important for numerous engineering and geoscience applications (e.g. petroleum geoscience, underground waste repositories, geothermal energy, earthquake studies, and hydrocarbon exploration). To assess the effect of pressure and temperature on seismic velocities and their anisotropy, laboratory experiments were conducted on metamorphic rocks. P- (Vp) and S-wave (Vs) velocities were determined on cubic samples of granulites and eclogites with an edge length of 43 mm in a triaxial multianvil apparatus using the ultrasonic pulse emission technique in dependence of changes in pressure and temperature. At successive isotropic pressure states up to 600 MPa and temperatures up to 600 °C, measurements were performed related to the sample coordinates given by the three principal fabric directions (x, y, z) representing the foliation (xy-plane), the normal to the foliation (z-direction), and the lineation direction (x-direction). Progressive volumetric strain was logged by the discrete piston displacements. Cumulative errors in Vp and Vs are estimated to be <1%. Microcrack closure significantly contributes to the increase in seismic velocities and decrease in anisotropies for pressures up to 200–250 MPa. Characteristic P-wave anisotropies of about 10% are obtained for eclogite and 3–4% in a strongly retrogressed eclogite as well as granulites. The wave velocities were used to calculate the geomechanical properties (e.g. density, Poisson's ratio, volumetric strain, and elastic moduli) at different pressure and temperature conditions. These results contribute to the reliable estimate of geomechanical properties of rocks

Reactive fluid flow guided by grain-scale equilibrium reactions during eclogitization of dry crustal rocks

Fluid flow in crystalline rocks in the absence of fractures or ductile shear zones dominantly occurs by grain boundary diffusion, as it is faster than volume diffusion. It is, however, unclear how reactive fluid flow is guided through such pathways. We present a microstructural, mineral chemical, and thermodynamic analysis of a static fluid-driven reaction from dry granulite to ‘wet’ eclogite. Fluid infiltration resulted in re-equilibration at eclogite-facies conditions, indicating that the granulitic protolith was out of equilibrium, but unable to adjust to changing P–T conditions. The transformation occurred in three steps: (1) initial hydration along plagioclase grain boundaries, (2) complete breakdown of plagioclase and hydration along phase boundaries between plagioclase and garnet/clinopyroxene, and (3) re-equilibration of the rock to an eclogite-facies mineral assemblage. Thermodynamic modelling of local compositions reveals that this reaction sequence is proportional to the local decrease of the Gibbs free energy calculated for ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ cases. These energy differences result in increased net reaction rates and the reactions that result in the largest decrease of the Gibbs free energy occur first. In addition, these reactions result in a local volume decrease leading to porosity formation; i.e., pathways for new fluid to enter the reaction site thus controlling net fluid flow. Element transport to and from the reaction sites only occurs if it is energetically beneficial, and enough transport agent is available. Reactive fluid flow during static re-equilibration of nominally impermeable rocks is thus guided by differences in the energy budget of the local equilibrium domains

Omphacite breakdown: nucleation and deformation of clinopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites

The breakdown of omphacite plays an important role in the exhumation and retrogression of eclogites. Additionally, metamorphic reactions associated with grain size reduction have the potential to significantly impact deformation mechanisms and the rheology of crustal rocks. We analyze the breakdown reaction omphacite → diopsidic clinopyroxene + plagioclase ± amphibole and associated microstructures by electron backscatter diffraction. The reaction results in the formation of (diopsidic) clinopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites. Samples were chosen from localities on Holsnøy (western Norway) and Lofoten (northern Norway), that are representative of vermicular symplectites, partly recrystallized symplectites, and deformed symplectites. Interphase misorientation analysis based on the electron backscatter diffraction results reveals that the nucleation of (diopsidic) clinopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites was crystallographically controlled, with the diopside copying the lattice orientation of the omphacite, and the plagioclase growing along diopside planes with favorable, i.e., similar, interplanar spacing. Deformation of the (diopsidic) clinopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites occurred by fracturing, transitioning into grain boundary sliding accommodated by diffusion creep. The results indicate that the formation of vermicular symplectites is not associated with enhanced permeability and fluid flow. Subsequent recrystallisation and grain-size sensitive deformation of the symplectites facilitates fluid redistribution and weakening of the retrogressed eclogites.ISSN:0010-7999ISSN:1432-096